CHICOPEE — Due to the death of former At-Large City Council member Robert Zygarowski in March, the City Council hosted a special meeting on May 29 to discuss possibly filling the vacant at-large position.
Ward 2 City Councilor Shane Brooks talked about why he was in favor of filling the vacant position.
Brooks said, “I think we should fill the position. I think that’s what Councilor Zygarowski would have wanted. He would have wanted additional representation for those individuals in which he met with on a daily basis across the city. Having four at-large members is essential to our function.”
As the City Council is currently configured, Brooks also explained there is potential for six to six “deadlocks” which “is not something that is in the best interest of the city as a deadlock City Council whether it’s in the affirmative or negative. There are still seven months.”
Ward 9 City Councilor Mary Beth Pniak-Costello and Ward 1 City Councilor Abigail Arriaga both voiced their opinions to not fill the position.
Pniak-Costello stated, “There aren’t that many more months left in regards to filling this position. We’ve already functioned for several months without the position being filled. If it was more than a year I would say yes, that’s a different topic, but because it’s only going to be literally just several months, we can leave the position vacant, save the taxpayer money.”
City Council President Frank Laflamme explained that the discussion and vote to fill the vacant City Council position is decided by the group and does not need to go to a ballot.
“This does not go on a ballot. It’s not going to cost the taxpayer,” Laflamme explained.
Arriaga explained she was against filling the vacant position because of the election year, which may make it difficult for those looking to run and conduct a fair campaign.
She said, “I think that people that are truly interested in filling that role should get out there, campaign, earn the voters support and let the voters bring it to the polls and choose who they would like to fill that. I think that that’s the better choice, is to listen to the residents.”
Ward 6 City Councilor Sam Shumsky agreed with Arriaga and stated, “Giving this hypothetical candidate an edge — and I know we’re going to be accused of nepotism or who knows what they’re going to accuse of us or some people may accuse us of but — it’s one of those things that you might give someone an unfair advantage, you always have that incumbency advantage.”
The City Council voted 10-1 to deny the motion of filling the vacant at-large city council position. The position will remain vacant for now.
The City Council also discussed and unanimously approved changing the two-year elected term for the mayor of Chicopee to a four-year elected term.
Laflamme explained the process now that the City Council approved extending the term length for mayor.
The approved motion will now be presented to the state representatives to review and prepare to be included on the ballot for the city.
“We’re going to do our final part here tonight, is what we’re doing tonight just our own final part, but it does go to the representatives to review and do the final approval, they might change a little bit, then it goes on the ballot come this November,” Laflamme stated.
If the motion is approved by city voters, it will not go into effect until the 2027 annual election.
Mayor John Vieau is currently running for reelection in November, but if the voters approve the new term length and Vieau is also reelected, his term will still be only for two years. The same goes for a potential opponent who may be elected this November, but no one is currently advertised to be running against Vieau as of publication.
The question will be featured on the ballot in Chicopee in November for residents to vote on.
